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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Using Fiberless, Wearable fNIRS to Monitor Brain Activity in Real-world Cognitive Tasks
Published on: December 2, 2015
Using Fiberless, Wearable fNIRS to Monitor Brain Activity in Real-world Cognitive Tasks
Paola Pinti1, Clarisse Aichelburg2, Frida Lind2
1Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Malet Place Engineering Building, University College London; Infrared Imaging Lab, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technology (ITAB), Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara.
Fiberless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) effectively monitors brain activity during real-world tasks. This portable neuroimaging approach shows promise for assessing cognitive function outside laboratory settings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique measuring hemodynamic responses related to neural activity.
- fNIRS offers a balance of spatial and temporal resolution, portability, and motion artifact resistance, making it suitable for diverse populations and tasks.
- Recent advancements in fiberless fNIRS devices enable unobtrusive brain monitoring in naturalistic environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the efficacy of fiberless fNIRS for monitoring brain activity during real-world cognitive tasks.
- To assess the feasibility of using portable fNIRS in ecologically valid settings outside the laboratory.
- To investigate brain hemoglobin concentration changes during a prospective memory task performed in a real-world context.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fiberless functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology.
- Monitored prefrontal cortex hemoglobin concentration changes in participants.
- Assessed brain activity during a prospective memory task conducted in a real-world, ambulatory setting.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the successful application of fiberless fNIRS in a real-world prospective memory task.
- Collected continuous hemodynamic data from the prefrontal cortex during ambulatory task performance.
- Showcased the potential for fNIRS to capture functional brain activity in naturalistic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Fiberless fNIRS is a viable tool for studying brain activity during real-world cognitive tasks.
- This technology facilitates the assessment of cognitive function in more ecologically valid scenarios.
- Ambulatory fNIRS monitoring offers new avenues for understanding cognitive processes and dysfunctions outside the lab.
